The latest monthly agri-food trade report shows that EU agri-food export values reached a record high in October 2018. Valued at €13.1 billion, total exports were 2.9% above the previous highest level registered in March 2017.

The monthly agri-food trade surplus stood at €3bn – a 13% increase from October 2017, and the second biggest surplus on record. EU export values were fairly evenly distributed between sectors, with beverages and commodities showing the highest growth. Notable increases in exports were recorded for spirits and liqueurs (a gain of €167 million), other cereals (up by €93m), wheat (a rise of €73m) and wine and vermouth (which grew by €70m).

Import figures also increased by 5% (when compared to October 2017). Bilateral trade between the EU and the USA has continued to expand, with imports from the USA growing by €245m. There was also significant growth in import levels from both China (growing by €80m) and Russia (up by €71m). The monthly report provides a table presenting the trade balance and its development by product category from November 2016 to October 2018.